Gulf Wars XXV
King's Arrow Ranch
Kingdom of Gleann Abhann
March 13-20, 2016
The last stop of the Hadi Banner tour, Gulf Wars XXV.
My trusted companion, Marek, and I journeyed to southern Gleann Abhann to visit the former Meridian lands and see what the warring Kingdoms of Ansteorra and Trimaris were up to.
This year, we camped in Foxes Den with our Meridian neighbors of Glaedenfeld (soon to be a shiny new barony). We arrived early on Tuesday after an uneventful nighttime journey from Easaraigh into the southern reaches of the known world.
Tuesday was a long day. Marek and I found the journey had taken its toll on us. We were bagged and not much for anything serious. We did find our shiremate, Styrbjorn, who had mistakenly camped in the main Meridian encampment after receiving some bad information on where the Glaedenfeld camp actually was. Marek and I rudely fell asleep on him as we sat in front of our tent reviewing the event schedule. Sorry about that. We also checked in Earl Benen and Countess Rosabel, who had traveled down earlier in the week to market their wares.
Later on Tuesday, we joined the others in our camp in the common area to dine. The food was good and plentiful with pleasant and friendly conversation. Marek and I found the Glaedenfeld camp to be a jovial and welcoming place. They have a good group of people there and we were happy to share in their company.
Wednesday broke with a slow start as Marek and I lost track of time while we welcomed the day. I eventually got my self in good order and performed my camp chores before attending a class concerning Troll and Paypal as my shire has some questions on the new digital payment solution. Marek and I spent most of the day enjoying the the site as spectators. We ran into a few friends and just went where the event carried us. It was a good, relaxing day. At the end of the day as we supped with our camp companions, I discovered Mistress Constanza was in need of some help for the Meridian Social later that evening. I volunteered myself and my contingent from Easaraigh (consisting of Marek, Strybjorn and I) to assist.
At this point, I must say that my Shiremates and I are of the same mind in offering our service, there was no force or encouragment required in this venture. Easaraigh is full of individuals well grounded in the service culture of the SCA and it is a blessing to share the experience with them. So, when I offered our service my companions did not ask what or why, they only asked where do we need to be.
To that end, we mounted my war wagon and journeyed to Bede Hall by way of the royal apartments where we retrieved supplies. Our duty this eve was to provide edible refreshment to the guests. The Easaraighians, along with Moreg, Stephanie, Ysabel, Corbin, Valdrick, and Constanza (All wonderful and outstanding peers, titles dropped to save me from carpal tunnel) prepared and served hors d'oeuvres, cake and other delecacies to the guests throughout the evening. We shared the easy comradarie that often comes with common activity and ended our day with a pleased countenance from a job done well, service rendered with joy, and an excellent company shared.
Marek and I shared a funny in that last year, contents of my pouch proved invaluable to success of the Known World Party. This year, it was the knife from my kit that proved to be an important part of the Meridian Social cutting cheese and cake alike with all the ease and grace such an instrument can bring to bear. At this point, I believe that the lessons drilled into my by Hadi and Ameraulde on having a well stocked 'squires kit' have made the contents of my kit as much a part of my usefulness as any other service I render. Lesson Learned - A well stocked squires kit is a key to making an average squire into Batman. I'm Batman.
Thursday was the final day of the event for us. Though, we did not know it that morning.
I chose to fight in the field battles on Thursday. Since they were in the afternoon, I wandered site to take a few pictures. I was able to witness some jousting, youth melee and coursing. Additionally, rapier and heavy champions battles were occurring.
Later in the morning, I donned my kit, got inspected and mustered with the Meridian contingent for the battle. Not having a specific unit to run with, I fell in with some people I knew (Legio, John and others) and just tried to be where I was needed. Which, being a big shieldman, was the shield wall.
Moment of reflection... I found it ironic that my journey with Hadis banner over the past year has led me back to a place I am so familiar with. The shield wall is a role I have filled many times, but this is the first time in many years that I have stood the wall with other Meridians. More thoughts on this later.
The Meridian contingent was over 100 strong. A fine showing. My own part in the battles was mostly short lived. With the shouts of 'Ballista', 'Arrow', and 'Rock' I plied my trade in the wall with the new squire Drago and new SCAdian 'Doc'. I had fun, did not get hurt or hurt anyone, took my blows and enjoyed the act of working in the wall. The rains set in early in the battles and eventually forced a close on the activity due to distant thunder that was a portent of what was to come.
At this point on Thursday, spirits were high. Meridies had represented well. The cool rain known as 'fat man fighting weather' brought a smile to my face. It was a good day.
I wandered back to the tent and waited for the rain to subside so I could shower. Marek joined up with me at the tent and we watched the rain fall while trying to stay out of it. Eventually, there was a break and I showered and sat down for dinner that Nikolai had prepared in camp.
As I was finishing my meal, we noted the sound of geese honking as they flew by. Shortly there after, the sky fell.
Events from this point were fast and furious. I remember a group of people running in the rain through camp into the ravine. The common tent started to shake and the canvas slapped. We had all risen and were trying to drop flaps and close doors. Whoosh. The tent was down and everyone scrambled. Marek, Song, Kehinde and I found ourselves holding down the kitchen tent (quite literally) with a young man from the upper den. I watched the weather through an open door holding two poles. The rain blew in many unnervingly weird directions (anything but down is strange in my book). I check on the boy, 'You doin' OK?' 'Yes' is the answer. Back to my poles and open door. Im soaked. The trees leaned in different directions. Mistress Stephanie and Anabele joined us as their tent began lose its footing. More rain. Wind. Panicked shouts. A group of people streamed into the tent from the ravine seeking shelter. A need for a dry towel. A wet and crying child. Holding the tent. Rain slacks. Checking stakes and ropes. Resetting all the ropes and stakes on the side of the tent Marek was on. He must have actually been the only thing holding the tent in place on that end. Rain down to a drizzle. Shouts across the camp. 'Is everyone OK down there!?'. Yes. Wet, shocked, but OK.
That. Happened. Mother natures version of Shock and awe. Gulf Wars, for the most part, came to a close with a thunderous roar and silence.
In the following calm, Marek and I went to assess our campsite to find it flattened. Like so many others that evening, our tent and its contents were strewn across the ground and soaked through. Our event was most definitely over. Luckily, we had decided to move my truck closer to the tent knowing that we would be stuck where we had parked if left there. So, we loaded the truck as best we could, any way we could. The rain started again. It was a miserable way to pack. But, we found time to laugh at our condition. Its just stuff. Just because its wet, doesn't change that. It's still just stuff.
After packing we found most of the Glaedenfeld crew piled into a toasty kitchen tent with the stove burning for warmth and passing around so beverages to warm the insides. As Marek and I had nothing dry to slip in or on and only one set of dry clothes, we found a hotel room for the night.
After a dry sleep and breakfast, Marek and I returned to site to help with the cleanup and packing at Foxes Den. I must say that the urge to flee back to Easaraigh was strong. But, the urge to do the 'right thing' was stronger. Marek and I both agreed, that we must return to site to help.
The rest of the morning was spent breaking down camp and loading. While everyone was tired and wet, spirits were high. Its moments such as these that the SCA's spirit is revealed. Any outsider would have looked at King's Arrow that day and said they saw a miserable, disaster area. I saw teamwork, dedication of the common good, care for fellow human beings, and esprit de corps. Friday. The day of cleanup was the best day of the war.
Marek and I headed home as the rains started again. We dropped in on Benen and Rosabel for a dry shirt and managed to pickup a few other sundries on our way out.
Its been a little over a year since Hadi passed. My year long quest to carry his banner and find the SCA we loved comes to an end. My journey has taken me back into an SCA that is different and one that I have neglected. With his banner I have attended tourneys, wars and collegiums. I have participated in and been part of the essence of the Society at its core. He has been with me to see the best Meridies has to offer and shared in my journey. I have found the old SCA that I knew and I believe that I have helped put a small breath of life back into it. I am once again starting to find comfort and contentment in my surroundings. Not so much a stranger now as I once felt. I have found the SCA home that I once lived in. The last lesson Hadi has provided me is that you can go home again.
Now a new journey begins. I have spoken with Ameraulde and my squire brothers (Griffin and Kyppyn) and have decided to seek a sponsor. As I retire Hadi's banner from the field, I will seek a guide that will help me on my way with the help of my House Aspiring family. This new adventure will be challenging in ways that I do not yet know. But I go into it with an open mind and looking forward.
Over the year I have found that I am capable of continuing on the path. This time around, I feel the 'want' to actually move forward instead of merely being on it. Ive come to the conclusion that the ultimate tribute to my late friend and mentor would be to succeed in the opportunity he set before me so long ago. I will not talk of peerage though. That is an achievement that only others can bestow. Instead, I will challenge myself to learn and grow. I will try to exhibit those qualities that we all hope a peer has. These are things that are attainable and that I have control of. As I set myself on the path wholeheartedly again, I look forward to the adventure with my fallen mentor in my heart, a new mentor guiding my way and sharing in my journey with my friends.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee.
